"From cases involving solar panels to rare earths and many other sorts of products, we have already seen that trade protectionism is being used more often against China, and this will probably continue for a couple more months."

Zhang Xiangchen

, director-general of the Ministry of Commerce's department of policy research, saying that the US and the European Union will be the most aggressive players in the game as their economies are plagued by either "high unemployment" or "huge debt burdens".

"The world faces an economic slowdown, and with election year in the United States, politicians are speaking out in favor of local businesses."

Wu Hequan

, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and an industry insider, saying that he is not optimistic about Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp's future in the US market. Chinese technology giants Huawei and ZTE denied allegations that their companies pose a security threat or are under the influence of China's government during a three-hour congressional hearing before the US House Intelligence Committee.

(China Daily 09/20/2012 page14)